Cheapest Places to Live for Young Adults – 2025 Rankings

Amazing Columbus, GA

October 21, 2025

If you’re in your 20s or 30s and feeling the squeeze of rising rent, grocery bills, and student loans, you’re not alone. More young adults than ever are looking for affordable cities where they can build a life without draining their paycheck.

And housing is a big part of that shift. With mortgage rates still near 7% and median home prices topping $422,000, homeownership is out of reach for many. In fact, the number of first-time homebuyers has dropped by more than half since 2004. For Gen Z and millennials, finding a city that offers both affordability and opportunity isn’t just smart; it’s a necessity.

We’ve rounded up 10 of the cheapest places to live in the U.S. for young adults. These cities offer manageable rent, growing job markets, and the kind of social energy that makes you excited to explore your neighborhood.

Overview: 10 Cheapest Places to Live in the U.S. for Young Adults

These 10 cities stand out for their low cost of living, solid entry-level incomes, and strong appeal to Gen Z and millennials. Whether you’re looking to rent your first apartment or build your career somewhere fresh (and affordable), these places offer a balance of opportunity, culture, and affordability.

Here’s a quick snapshot of each city’s cost factors:

City, State	Population	% Cheaper than U.S. Average	Median Rent Price	Median Annual Income	Median Home Price
Columbus, Georgia	204,383	13%	$1,179	$56,622	$182,300
St. Louis, Missouri	293,109	6%	$1,267	$55,279	$185,100
Jacksonville, Florida	961,739	8%	$1,559	$66,981	$266,100
Chattanooga, Tennessee	569,333	11%	$1,428	$68,666	$246,000
Huntsville, Alabama	218,814	9%	$1,395	$70,778	$263,100
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma	688,693	18%	$1,250	$66,702	$215,100
Green Bay, Wisconsin	106,585	9%	$1,070	$62,546	$191,500
Grand Rapids, Michigan	197,768	1%	$1,550	$65,526	$225,500
Cleveland, Ohio	367,523	8%	$1,250	$39,187	$94,100
Des Moines, Iowa	212,464	15%	$1,025	$63,966	$183,700

Note: We used median rent and income, not averages, to better reflect what young adults can actually expect. Average figures are often skewed by extreme highs and/or lows.

In the next section, we’ll break down what makes each city unique—beyond the numbers. From walkability and weekend fun to career paths and community vibes, here’s why these cities are worth a closer look.

10 Cheapest Places to Live in the U.S. for Young Adults in 2025

It’s time to dive right into the cheapest places to live in the U.S. for young adults. In addition to the median annual income and median home value statistics in the chart above, we’ve also consolidated information about each city’s population, walk score, and living wage.

An area’s walk score is out of 100 and represents the walkability of an area (with a higher score correlating to better walkability). A living wage represents what a full-time worker needs to make per hour to comfortably support themselves and/or their family. Because we’re focusing on young adults, below you’ll see that we used the living wage for one adult with no children to provide a consistent comparison across cities.

#1: Columbus, Georgia

Population: 204,383
Cost: 13% cheaper than U.S. average
Median Rent: $1,179
Median Income: $56,622
Median Home Price: $182,300
Walk Score: 25/100
Living Wage per Hour, 1 Adult, 0 Children: $15.52

Columbus, Georgia, tops our list as one of the cheapest cities for young adults in the United States. An up-and-coming city less than two hours southwest of Atlanta, Columbus is known for its natural beauty, city fee, and cheap cost of living.

The beautiful Chattahoochee River that runs through the city offers endless opportunities for outdoor lovers — from kayaking and paddle boarding to enjoying scenic trails and riverfront dining. Plus, Columbus takes pride in maintaining a vibrant, connected waterfront that enhances both recreation and sustainability. For a nearby getaway, explore Callaway Gardens — where you can enjoy botanical gardens, ziplining, golf, and peaceful lakeside views. And if you’re craving the beach, weekend trips to Pensacola, Destin, or Panama City Beach, Florida, are within easy reach.

Additionally, Columbus is home to a range of industries that offer opportunities with large employers, including Aflac, Piedmont Healthcare, and Fort Benning. The charming city is home to a wealth of interesting museums, entertaining arts, and educational science centers. Young adult residents of Columbus will enjoy the fun nightlife and top-notch restaurants.

Want to learn more? Discover what it’s really like to live in Columbus, Georgia here.

#2: St. Louis, Missouri

Population: 293,109
Cost: 6% cheaper than U.S. average
Median Rent: $1,267
Median Income: $55,279
Median Home Price: $185,100
Walk Score: 66/100
Living Wage per Hour, 1 Adult, 0 Children: $15.98

St. Louis, Missouri, is famous for the Gateway Arch, which is the world’s tallest arch. It’s also the place where the ice cream cone first debuted! Aside from its impressive architecture, the city is known for hosting the third-ever modern Olympic Games, the Lewis and Clark Expedition, and the St. Louis Zoo.

Young workers will rejoice at the seven Fortune 500 companies located in St. Louis, including Edward Jones and Emerson Electric, in addition to the Anheuser-Busch brewery. St. Louis is a hub for health sciences and services, with a historical tradition of transportation and logistics.

#3: Jacksonville, Florida

Population: 961,739
Cost: 8% cheaper than U.S. average
Median Rent: $1,559
Median Income: $66,981
Median Home Price: $266,100
Walk Score: 26/100
Living Wage per Hour, 1 Adult, 0 Children: $16.36

As the largest city on this list of the cheapest U.S. cities for young adults, Jacksonville offers a rare blend of big-city energy and laid-back coastal living. Located just south of the Florida-Georgia border, it offers oceanfront access, a thriving arts scene, and the largest urban park system in the U.S.

From rooftop nights downtown to quiet afternoons at the beach, Jacksonville makes it easy to find your rhythm. With strong wages and relatively affordable housing, it’s a great option for young adults who want space to grow.

#4: Chattanooga, Tennessee

Population: 569,333
Cost: 11% cheaper than U.S. average
Median Rent: $1,428
Median Income: $68,666
Median Home Price: $246,000
Walk Score: 29/100
Living Wage per Hour, 1 Adult, 0 Children: $15.68

The charming southern town of Chattanooga, Tennessee, is a great spot for young adults in the U.S. It’s surrounded by mountains, rivers, and hiking trails, and has a great music scene — plus, it’s only a couple of hours from Nashville. You’ll love Chattanooga’s proximity to so many other states, including Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Alabama.

There are plenty of fun activities in Chattanooga, like exploring Lookout Mountain, Rock City, or the Riverwalk. The food scene is delicious, the nightlife is active, and the outdoor scene will entertain you forever.

#5: Huntsville, Alabama

Population: 218,814
Cost: 9% cheaper than U.S. average
Median Rent: $1,395
Median Income: $70,778
Median Home Price: $263,100
Walk Score: 24/100
Living Wage per Hour, 1 Adult, 0 Children: $15.53

Made famous through space exploration, Huntsville, Alabama (or “Rocket City”) is now a hub for aerospace engineering and space-related activity. The city, which was briefly the capital of Alabama during its early days, is now an excellent place for young adults to live.

The U.S. Space and Rocket Center will entertain anyone intrigued in astronomy and space. As a Huntsville resident, multiple farmers’ markets will keep your kitchen stocked, or you can check out the delicious restaurants in the area if you don’t feel like cooking. The growing population is great news for those looking to invest in a home.

#6: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Population: 688,693
Cost: 18% cheaper than U.S. average
Median Rent: $1,250
Median Income: $66,702
Median Home Price: $215,100
Walk Score: 34/100
Living Wage per Hour, 1 Adult, 0 Children: $15.86

The capital of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City (often shortened to OKC), was an important stop on Route 66 during the early 20th century. Today, it’s become a great, affordable option for younger residents.

Visit the Oklahoma City Museum of Art, the Oklahoma City Zoo, or the First Americans Museum to learn something new about your new place of residence. The Bricktown Water Taxi is also a great way to explore OKC, as it takes you down the Bricktown Canal while narrating the city’s history and culture.

#7: Green Bay, Wisconsin

Population: 106,585
Cost: 9% cheaper than U.S. average
Median Rent: $1,070
Median Income: $62,546
Median Home Price: $191,500
Walk Score: 42/100
Living Wage per Hour, 1 Adult, 0 Children: $15.66

Green Bay is the smallest city on this list, but don’t let its size fool you. With affordable rent, an excellent median income, and a tight-knit community feel, it’s a smart pick for young adults who want to save money without giving up quality of life.

Of course, it’s also a dream for football lovers. Between game days at Lambeau Field, views along the Fox River, and a surprisingly vibrant arts and museum scene, Green Bay offers more than you’d expect from a city its size.

#8: Grand Rapids, Michigan

Population: 197,768
Cost: 1% cheaper than U.S. average
Median Rent: $1,550
Median Income: $65,526
Median Home Price: $225,500
Walk Score: 56/100
Living Wage per Hour, 1 Adult, 0 Children: $16.73

While Grand Rapids isn’t dramatically cheaper than the national average, it earns a spot on this list of the cheapest cities for young adults thanks to its strong wages, growing job market, and quality of life. For young adults earning close to the median income, the city offers a rare balance of affordability and opportunity.

Known as “Beer City,” Grand Rapids is packed with breweries, foodie experiences like Flights of Flavor, and easy access to outdoor activities like skiing and ice skating. With a walkable downtown and a thriving arts scene, it’s a great place to live, work, and stay inspired year-round.

#9: Cleveland, Ohio

Population: 367,523
Cost: 8% cheaper than U.S. average
Median Rent: $1,250
Median Income: $39,187
Median Home Price: $94,100
Walk Score: 57/100
Living Wage per Hour, 1 Adult, 0 Children: $15.33

Cleveland, Ohio is an incredibly affordable city that is also great for entrepreneurs. Cleveland saw rapid growth during the Civil War as a top manufacturing city. Today, the city continues to be a hot spot for industry and business.

Visit the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame to get your rock on, or enjoy boating on Lake Erie, the fourth-biggest lake in the United States. You can have delicious food from the West Side Market and explore A Christmas Story House for a holiday-themed outing.

#10: Des Moines, Iowa

Population: 212,464
Cost: 15% cheaper than U.S. average
Median Rent: $1,025
Median Income: $63,966
Median Home Price: $183,700
Walk Score: 45/100
Living Wage per Hour, 1 Adult, 0 Children: $22.26

Des Moines is one of the most affordable cities on this list, with rent averaging just $1,025 and a cost of living 15% below the U.S. average. It’s a great pick for young adults looking to save without sacrificing city perks.

Known for its strong job market in finance, insurance, and healthcare, Des Moines also has a vibrant downtown, an underrated arts scene, and plenty of green space to explore.

How to Decide Where to Move Next

If you’re looking for a more affordable place to live, you’re not alone. In fact, thousands of Americans are relocating so they can make their dollars stretch further—but the question is, how do you decide on which of these “cheapest places” to move to?

Ultimately, it comes down to what you’re looking for in your new home. If you’re looking for outdoor adventures or opportunities to elevate your career (without the long commutes that come with a bigger, more expensive city), Columbus, Georgia might be right for you.

Ready to make a move to Columbus, Georgia?

Columbus is one of the cheapest places to live in the United States—and it’s the second biggest city in Georgia. That means you get the perks of living in a larger city, like a thriving job market, while enjoying a strong sense of community and a more affordable cost of living.

If you’re ready to learn more about living in Columbus, contact us here. Our team is here to help!